For the job interview, there are a few other tips to keep in mind in addition to the ones mentioned above. The first and most important of all is not to pretend, just be yourself! If you observe the following do’s and don’ts, almost nothing can go wrong.
5 do’s during a job interview:
- A short and firm handshake as a greeting (shows self-confidence).
- be yourself!
- Appear confident and friendly (a smile can go a long way).
- Be sure to mute your smartphone or set it to flight mode!
- Find and maintain eye contact.
5 don’ts during a job interview:
- Lying! (Lies have short legs and will be caught sooner or later).
- Be arrogant and rude!
- To chew bubble gum!
- Interrupt the other person (appears rude and shows impatience).
- Avoid eye contact or look away (suggests insecurity).
Behavior after the interview
At the end of every interview, be sure to thank the recruiter for taking the time to consider you for the position. Usually he will tell you that he will get back to you in some time, usually a few days or later in the week. You should definitely wait for that. In the meantime, if you have an important question about the job or you have already decided on another position, you should inform the recruiter.
In the event of a commitment
Did you get an offer? Congratulations! Are you sure you want to take the job? Great – then a few steps have to be taken so that you can really start your new job. The most important thing is that both you and your new employer have to sign an employment contract in which topics such as salary and monthly number of hours etc. are regulated. If you are still hesitating, then it is perfectly legitimate to ask the recruiter for a little time to think it over! 3-4 days is a reasonable time to think extensively about the offer. However, you shouldn’t give yourself much more time.
In case of cancellation
Did you get a rejection? Just don’t hang your head! The rejection can have many reasons, perhaps another candidate simply has more experience and thus better meets the requirements. Try to make the best of the situation and see it as experience and practice for the next job interview. Maybe it was even your first job interview? Then you will definitely know better for the next time how exactly it works and can prepare yourself a bit better for it.
Job interview via Skype
If you are applying for a job or internship abroad, an interview via Skype or Google Hangouts is the most common alternative to a face-to-face interview. The same rules generally apply here as for a regular conversation, but there are a few more points to consider.
Before starting the video call:
- Check internet connection and make sure it is stable. It is advisable to make the call with a PC or laptop and not with a mobile phone.
- Try out the camera and microphone to see if everything works properly. A test call to a friend is a very good way to check everything. This way you can also see whether you might see some things in the background that you should tidy up or put away for the time being.
- Clarify who is calling whom so that you can wait for each other at the agreed time.
During the video call:
- Look into the camera! During a Skype or Google Hangouts call, you often tend not to look into the camera but at the picture of the other person, or even look at yourself on the screen. But you should at least look into the camera from time to time and make direct eye contact.
We hope that our tips for the job interview have helped you and that you are now a little more relaxed in your next job interview. We wish you every success!